Asian Geographic-April 2018

This traditional Chinese
therapy was believed to
cleanse the body of trapped
waste and bring fresh blood
flow to sore and stiff muscles.
Practitioners of the massage
technique press and rub
a smooth bone, coin, or
stone across a patient’s oiled
body in long strokes. Still
popular today in many Asian
countries, the treatment
causes the body to erupt in
bruises from the breaking of
numerous capillaries.

In their pursuit of immortality,

some Chinese emperors had

their imperial alchemists

attempt to concoct the

elixir of life. Many of these

mixtures contained mercury

and arsenic, toxic chemicals

that claimed the lives of

these rulers. Ancient Hindu

scriptures also mention the

use of rasasindura (a mercury

compound) in herbal and milk

products. It was thought to

boost immunity, but often led

to mercury poisoning.

Ancient Chinese philosopher

Lao Tzu first described

breathing techniques as

a way to stimulate qi, the

“vital energy” underpinning

traditional Chinese medicine

and martial arts. The belief

is that this “life force” flows

around the body, and

illnesses are caused when

the flow is blocked. Healers

use a variety of techniques to

restore balance, regenerate

depleted qi, and flush out

disease-causing qi.

Considered one of the

oldest medical therapies,

moxibustion was used in

ancient China, Japan, and

Korea, and consisted of

burning dried mugwort on

special points of the body.

In some cases, the herb was

burnt just enough to heat

the skin, while in others

it was left long enough to

cause second-degree burns!

Practitioners believe that it

stimulates the circulation of

blood and qi.

Gua Sha Mercury Elixirs Qi Healing Moxibustion

3rd century Bce 5th century Bce 6th century Bce 17th century Bce

Gua Sha

Qi Healing

Mercury Elixirs

Moxibustion